MCALLEN — McAllen Memorial running back Campbell Speights made his future football intentions clear, announcing his verbal commitment to the U.S. Naval Academy on his personal Twitter account Wednesday evening.
“I would like to thank all the Universities that showed interest in me, but after lots of praying and talks with my family I am COMMITTED to the United States Naval Academy,” Speights wrote in a tweet.
Speights, who has played for the Mustangs varsity football squad since he was a freshman, has tallied 4,973 rushing yards and 73 touchdowns on the ground in three seasons for McAllen Memorial. Additionally, the soon-to-be senior has amassed 28 100-yard rushing games and a 7.7 yards per carry average through 34 games.
“Everyone at my high school has been such a big part of my success from the security guards telling me how proud they are of me, the principals, teachers and counselors pushing me to be the best student that I can be, and obviously the coaches as well as Coach Littleton,” Speights said. “He believed in me as a freshman by giving me a chance to earn the starting running back position on varsity. My family’s relationship with the head coach is one of respect, so his constant guidance played a big part of my recruiting process.”
Speights committed to the Naval Academy, a D1 program well known for running a triple-option based offensive scheme, over the likes of Air Force, Incarnate Word and Tulane among others. The Mustangs star back was paid a home visit by Navy assistant football and slots back coach Joe DuPaix in late May, according to photos on his Twitter page.
“One of my main considerations is (one of) my mom’s favorite sayings, ‘what would your 40-year-old self think about your choice?’ I know that’s her way of getting me and my brothers to focus on the future instead of the present,” Speights said. “So with the next 40 years being a big part of my decision the Naval Academy was a no brainer! It’s the total package! Big time football, highly academic and great tradition!”
His older brother, Trevor Speights, played for McAllen Memorial as well before graduating in 2017 and moving on to play college football at Stanford University. The elder Speights brother had 221 yards and a rushing touchdown on 59 carries as a sophomore running back for the Cardinal in 2018.
“My brother was home this past weekend so we talked as a family and he gave me a lot of things to think about,” Speights said. “He feels like a degree from Navy will secure me for a life after football, which is the most important thing for me and my family.”
McAllen Memorial will kick off its 2019 football slate against Brownsville Hanna at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at McAllen Memorial Stadium.